Jaimal Yogis, zen-surfer and American journalist writes open heartedly in his first book “Saltwater Buddha: A Surfer’s Quest to Find Zen on the Sea” about his own life. How as a teenager he ran away from home to find freedom and truth. How he half-starvingly pursued his biggest dream in life – to become a great surfer. In a light tone he tells us how he stared at walls for days as a fake monk in a monastery and dived deeply into Buddhism. He takes us with him to New York, California, The Azores, France, to the stormy seas and calm mountains to find zen, from the bottom of the ocean to the mountain tops. Jaimal Yogis’ view of life is free and fearless, but realistic like Buddha’s, who he for the honest statement – life is suffering – calls a party breaker. At the same time together with Buddha he gives us a key how to handle the wheel of life and death calmly. His sincere stories are light in tone, but very deeply educating. This book is a mirror, and a companion on the road to meeting yourself.
– Tiia Nightingale, translator of the book from English into Estonian.
///Jaimal Yogis, zen-surfarist Ameerika ajakirjanik, jutustab oma esimeses raamatus „Surfi Buddha – ühe surfari zeniotsingud merel” täiesti avameelselt omaenda elust. Sellest, kuidas ta noorukina kodust põgenes, et leida vabadus ja tõde. Kuidas ta poolnäljasena ajas taga oma suurimat unistust – saada suurepäraseks surfariks. Kergel naljatoonil jutustab autor oma elust valemungana kloostris, kus ta päevade kaupa seinu vahtis ja sügavale budismi sukeldus. Ta viib meid Hawaiile, New Yorki, Californiasse, Assooridele, Prantsusmaale, tormisele merele ja mägedesse otsima vabadust, tõde ja zeni, ookeanipõhjast mäetippudeni. Jaimal Yogise maailmavaade on vaba ja julge, kuid realistlik nagu Buddhal, keda ta ausa tõdemuse – elu on kannatus – väljaütlemise pärast peorikkujaks nimetab. Samas annab ta koos Buddhaga meile kätte võtme, kuidas elu ja surmaratast rahulikult võtta. Tema siirad lood on toonilt kerged, kuid sügavalt harivad. See raamat on suurepärane peegel ja kaaslane teekonnal kohtumisele iseendaga.
– Tiia Nightingale, raamatu tõlkija